Automatic phonograph



Dec. 1, 1936. R iqsoN 2,062,396

AUTOMATI C PHONOGRAPH Filed May 24, 1932 7 Sheets-She t 1 10 I F i-g.1.

2@ IVENTOR. 'Bergamln RC arson BY 7 Baham- IS ATTORNEY.

Dec. 1, 1936.

INVENTOR: ben qmm R.Cqrson,

1 l8 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 1, 1936. R CARSON 2,062,396

AUTOMATI C PHONOGRAPH Filed May 24, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.11.

INVENTOR. Berg amlnR Carson,

l S ATTORNEY.

Dec. 1, 1936.

B. R. CARSON- ,062,396

I INVENTOR. V BergqmmR-Carson,

' 18 ATTORNEK,

Dec. 1, 1936.

B, R. CARSON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed May- 24,' 1932 7 Sheets Sheet 6 J B enjqmhq (YUAN IIIIIII/l/l '7 sheets-sheet 7 B. R.. CARSON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed May 24, 1932 Dec. 1, 1936.

IIII

III

IHIII n WWNMWW IX/VNTOE: I Benjamin BCarson, swouwm fi Wm WMM M I Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE,

2,062,396 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAIAH Benjamin R. Carson, Camden, N. J., assignor to I Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application May 24, 1932, Serial -No. 613,1 98 I 15 Claims.

My invention relates to phonographs and, more particularly, to phonographs of the type compris ing an automatic mechanism whereby a plurality of records may be reproduced in sequence. The

present invention constitutes an improvement.

curate return of a record into'the record hopperor magazine is insured after a period of sound reproduction. 9 In accordance with my invention, it is a further the turntable center-pin upon the discharge thereof from the record hopper or magazine.

Another object of my invention is to provide an vision is made for the manual reproduction of records which are of a different size than the records which the said mechanism is adapted to normally handle automatically. 30 A further object of my invention is to provide an automatic phonograph mechanism wherein the record magazine cooperates with a record transfer device in a manner calculated to permit only one record at a time to be fed from the magazine by the transfer device.

Another object. of my invention is to provide an automatic phonograph mechanism with a safety device to protect the mechanism in the event that it becomes jammed either by itself, while in operation, or because of improper handling of the same by an inexperienced operator.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in-an automatic phonograph mechanism, simplified means for raising andlowering the tone arm from and toward playing position. 1

A still further object of my invention is to provide an automatic phonograph mechanism which comprises a compact unit adapted to 'occupy a minimum of space in a-cabinet.

Another object of my inventionis to provide an automatic phonograph mechanism wherein the successive records to be played are not only positively removed from the magazine, but are also accurately centered on the turntable spindle as they are being removed.

- operate until the object to eifect accurate centering of a record on] automatic phonograph mechanism wherein pro- 1 A further object of my invention is to provide an automatic phonograph mechanism which can-. not be stopped by a starting and stopping switch carried by the mechanism when the mechanism is in cycle; that is, should the said switch be 5 moved to off or stop position when the mechanism is in cycle, or performing a series of automatic operations, the mechanism will continue. to cycle is fully completed before stopping. 10

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic phonograph mechanism which will I continuously reproduce a stack or group of records supplied thereto and which will return a played record on top of the stack or group of records in the magazine. A further objectof my invention is to provide; an automatic phonograph mechanism wherein the I sound reproducing instrumentality is positively urged into initialcooperative engagementwith;

the sound groove on a record to be reproducegzli Another object of my invention is to provide anautomatic phonograph mechanism which,; by.a. V J

, simple manipulation of a controllevenmay be transformed from an automatic machine to. a manually-operable machine, and vice versa. 26

A further object of my invention is to provide; an automatic phonograph mechanism of whichthe various parts, including the record magazine and record elevating devices, may becontrolled and set into operation by a single control device.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic phonograph mechanism wherein the record hopper or magazine presents amaximum supporting surface for a stack or group of records whereby warping of the records is prevented when a series of records remain in the magazine for extended periods of time. j

The novel features characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and 'advantages thereof, willibest be understood from the, following description of a speciflcembodiment', when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which v Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved automatic phonograph mechanism mounted "on a t suitable display stand, and with the parts in I sound reproducing position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my improved mechanism illustrating the parts thereof in the position substantially at the completion of a period of sound reproduction, the broken lines illus- 56 trating the position of certain parts at substantially the beginning of a cycle of automatic operation.

A record in the magazine partly dislodged by the record from the magazine.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the line VI--VI of a Fig. illustrating one of the elevators in raised position, the magazine in its position over the turntable, and the manner in which the magazine cooperates with the record transfer lever to adjust said lever preparatory to a record ejecting operation.

Fig.3;7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating the m'agazine in a position shortly after the beginning of its return 'movementto normal position, and the manner in which" the lowermost record in the magazine is ejected therefrom.

Fig..8 is a perspective view of the magazine illustrating the manner in which a record tablet, shown in dotted lines, is ejected therefrom by the cooperation therewith of the record transfer lever, also shown in dotted lines, and the means formed on the magazinefor assisting in temporarily guiding the ejected record.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of.

the record elevating members and the means for elevating as well as rotating the same. Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section detail view of the record transfer lever illustrating the cooperative relation between the magazinc and the transfer lever with the lowermost transfer lever.

Fig. 11 is atop plan view of the automatic mechanism which is suspended from the top plate or motor board illustrating the parts thereof in the position they wume at the completion of an automatic cycle of. operations, the motor board and the parts mounted thereon being shown in broken lines to illustrate their cooperative relation with the automatic mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a view similar tom. 11 illustrating the mechanism with its parts in one. position they 'occupyduring a cycle ofautomatic operations.

- Fig. 13 is. a fragmentary detail view illustrating certain parts 'of the mechanism shown in Figs. 11 and 12 in still anotherposition.

Fig. 13a is'a view similar toFig'. 13 illustrat- .ing means for preventing operation of the automatic mechanism when it is desired to manually perform the functions thereof.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation or the com ete automatic mechanism with the rear end" portion of the pick-up arm in section-and illustratingthe flexible elevating means connected thereto. Fig. IEisasectionaIvIew ntheIineXV-ZV .of Fig. 12 with the parts which are. shown in broken lines in Fig..12 shown in full lines.

Fig. 16 isan-enlarged sectional view on the line XVIXVI of Fig. 11.

Fig. 17 is a similar view illustrating a modiflca tion of the contruction illustrated in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18.isatopplan viewofa modified form of pawl and ratchet clutch.

19 is an exploded sectional detail view,

' in perspective, of a portion of the base plate and actuating bar, illustrating the connection thereto of one of the elevating standards.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the construction of my improved automatic mechanism will now be described in detail.

As shown in Figs. 1, 14 and 15, my improved mechanism-comprises a top plate I, usually referred to as a motorboard, having a mechanism assembly plate 2 attached thereto in spaced relation by means of a plurality of shouldered studs 3 carried by the plate 2 and detachably connected to the top plate I by a plurality of screw bolts 4, or the like, which pass through suitable openings formed in the top plate I and into the upstanding free ends of the studs 3.

v A motor 5, provided with an upstanding turntable spindle 6, is secured to the underside of the assembly plate 2 by means of suitable screw bolts 1. The spindle 6 passes throughan upstanding bushing or bearing sleeve 8 carriedby the assembly plate 2 and extends to .a point above the upper surface "of the top plate I for receiving a turntable 9 thereon.-

The top plate I is provided with a toggle switch 80 for controlling the motor 5,. and an arcuate slot 8| through which an upstanding rod or post 82 projects for a purpose hereinafter described.

Recordmagazine A magazine It, adapted to support a plurality of record tabletsR in superposed relation, is pivotally mounted on the top plate I adjacent to the turntable .9 in a bearing II by means of a pivot post I2 and is movable in an arcuate path to and from a position over the turntable. Movement arm II. which is connected to the lowermost end of the pivot post I2 by' means of a suitable set screw, the crank arm I lcarrying an upstanding crank pin I4 which projects into a slot I! formed, plate n hereln-' in one wing portion I6 of am after more fully described. a

The magazine It is substantially open bottomed but is provided with a plurality of oppositely disposed ledge portions ll which are integral with and extend inwardly from the lowermost edge of the annular rim I9 comprising the magazine" proper. The lower free edge portions of theannular rim- I9 between the ledgeportions .I! are recessed at diametrically opposite points 'to provide cutaway portions 20 and 2|, the latter of which is still further cut away at 2Ia'. A heel plate 22, for-median the outer periphery of the magazine rim I! and xtendingdaterally therefrom directly above the cutaway portion 20, serves .to index the height of a record transfer lever hereinafter described whereby the lowermost record of a stack of records disposed in said magamagazlne has been moved to a position directly over the turntable 9. The cutaway portions 20 and 2l a, formed inthe annular rim 1! of the magazine and the substantially open bottom thereof provide a free path for the relative movement' of the record transfer lever through themagazi ne between the innermost edges of the ledge portions, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and- 8.

' Record transfer means The mechanism for effecting transferf a record'from the magazine I! to the turntable l is in the form of a yieldably mounted lever is imparted to the magazine I0 through a crank zine is engaged'by said transfer lever when the which cooperates with the magazine and the lowermost record therein during its movement to and from a position over the turntable to automatically dislodge the lowermost record laterally from the magazine onto the turntable after a played record has been removed therefrom The record transfer mechanism comprises a pivot post 23 secured to the top plate and to one 'side of the turntable 9 by means of suitable screws 23aor the like and a record engaging lever 24,

which is pivoted transversely of the upstanding end portion of the pivot post 23 by means of a pair of turned down ears 25 formed on the lever 24 substantially intermediate its ends. A spring 26 cooperates with the pivot post 23 and the underside of the lever 24 to constantly urge the said lever upwardly. The opposite end of the gaging buttons 29 which extend upwardly from the lever a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a record tablet.

Formed in the surface of the lever rearwardly of each of the buttons 29 is a spherical projection 30 which is slightly higher than the buttons. In its movement to a position over the turntable, the lowermost record in the magazine contacts with the spherical projections 30 whereby the surface of the buttons 29 is held out of contact with the underside of that record, thus prevent ing scratching of the records.

When the magazine has reached a position directly over the turntable, the lever 24 is free -to move upwardly until the buttons .29 engage the underside of the heel plate 22, cooperating with the cutaway portion 20 formed in the lowermost edge of the magazine rim l9, whereby the lever 24 is held in adjusted position so that the buttons 29 will engage the edge of only the lowermost record in the magazine; As the magazine returns from its position over the turntable (Figs. 5 and 6) to its normal or rest position at one side of the turntable (Figs. 1 and 2), the. lever 24, through its buttons 29, will dislodge the lowermost record through the cutaway 2| so that the dislodged record will be deposited onto the turntable.

Means for temporarily supporting the overhanging weight of the magazine and its load of records, during a part of its movement to and from a position over the turntable 9, is provided in the form of "a roller 3| which is pivoted in the slotted end of an upstanding stud 32 attached to the top plate'l in a position where the bottom edge of the magazine rim l9, at its outermost point, will contact with the roller 3|. In order to more positively guide a record being discharged from the magazine l0 onto the turntable 9, the outer periphery of the magazine rim I9 is provided with an integral projecting finger 33 which is adapted to engage the periphery of a record as it emerges from the magazine during the movement' of the magazine away from the turntable 9, the finger 33 preventing lateral movement of the record about to be discharged. The finger 33 thus assists in properly centering the discharged record on the turntable spindle.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the upper edge of the magazine rim 9 is higher throughout a portion of its periphery, as indicated at 34, than the remaining portion of the rim as indicated at 35. Thepurpose of the higher wall portion of the magazine rim I9 is to center a played record directly over the magazine l0 and to insure its entry therein when the record is finally released by record elevating mechanism hereinafter described.

Pickup supporting post and trip lever 'As clearly-shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 14, a sound reproducing instrumentality, for example an electric pick-up device- 36 carried by a supporting arm 31, is pivotally mounted on the topplate I in spaced cooperative relation with the turntable 9 by means of a flanged bearing plate 38 which is disposed in a suitable aperture formed in the top plate I and secured thereto by means of suitable screws or the like 39.

The bearing plate 38 is provided with a central bearing opening 40 and an integral centrally depending bearing sleeve 4| for the pivotal reception of a tubular stem 42 carried by a pivot post 43 on which the supporting arm 31 is mounted.

The upper end portion of the pivot post 43' terminates in a laterally extending arm 44 having a vertically disposed adjustment screw 45 threaded in the free end-of the, arm 44. .The screw 45 serves to support the weight of the pick-up 36 and its arm 31 when out of contact with a record, so that a cable 61, hereinafter more fully referred to, will not be stretched. The pick-up arm 31 is, preferably, of the counter-balanced type shown and described in a cop'endingapplication of James M. Kendall,

filed March 12, 1931, Serial No. 521,936, and also assigned to the Radio Corporation of America, and is pivoted, at a point substantially adjacent its rear end portion, to the uppermost vertical portion of the pivot post 43 by a suitable pivot pin 46 with the over-hanging forward portion of the pick-up arm normally resting on the adjustment screw 45.

The lowermost free end portion of the tubular stem 42 extends a suitable distance belowv the bearing sleeve 4| for the attachment thereto of a trip lever 41 which comprises a substantially L-shapedmember having a collar 48 staked or otherwise secured thereto intermediate its ends. The collar 48is provided with suitable set screws 49 whereby the trip lever 41 is secured to the stem 42 for movement therewith.

A pawl 50 having a vertically disposed knife edge 5| formed on one end thereof is pivoted intermediate its ends, on one limb of the trip lever 41 as indicatedat 52. The otherend of the pawl 50 is provided with an upstanding pin 53 which projects through a slot 54 formed in the said limb for limiting the pivotal movement of the pawl 50 relativeto the lever 41. A spring 55, having one of its ends connected to the pin 53 and its other end to an upstanding lug 56 formed on one edge of the said limb of the trip lever 41, constantly urges the pawl 50 in a clockwise direction to maintain its knife edge 5| in engagement with the serrated edge 51 of a ratchet plate 58 which is carried by mechanism hereinafter described.

The free end of the limb 59 of the trip lever 41 is provided with a depending pin 60 which is adapted to be periodically engaged by mechanism also hereinafter described for moving the pickwhereby the arm 64 is moved either in a clockwire or counter-clockwise direction in accordance with the movements of the trip lever 41 and the pick-up arm 81.

A pin 85 (Figs. ,11 and 14l'carried by the arm 84 depends therefrom to one side of a pulley 88 for maintaining the cable 61 in the groove of said' pulley. The opposite free end portion of the arm 64-, 'or the end which isprovided' with the elongated slot 63, carries an integral depending arm 88. A second groovedpulley69 is pivotedtothe means whereby motion is imparted to the arm 64 in accordance with the pivotal movement of the pick-up arm supporting post 43 and its tubular pivot pin 42 to the lowermost end of which the trip lever 41 is secured. This movement of the arm 64 with the pick-up arm supporting post 43 maintains the pull of the cable 61 directly over the center of revolution of thepick-up arm supporting post, thus insuring against the cable 81 being guided off the vertical center of the pick-up arm supporting post 43 and the pulleys 68 and 59.

Record elevating means A pair of vertically reciprocable standards 12, each provided with a projecting key or spline 12' formed lengthwise thereof and along a major portion of their length, are journaled in a like number of suitable bearing sleeves 13 which are secured in and pass through suitable apertures formed in the top plate I. A pair of record elevating fingers 14 and 15 are secured to the uppermost ends of the standards; 12 and occupy a position above the top plate I. The elevating fingers 14 and 15 normally lie in a plane slightly below the upper face of the turntable 9 and are disposed with respect to each other at diametrically opposite points of the turntable, extending in opposite directions so as to support a record tablet in a non-tilting manner when elevated above the turntable 9. The record supporting surface of the front elevating finger 15 is provided with a rubber or other suitable friction pad 16.

When the elevating fingers 14 and 15 support a record in elevated position above the turntable 9 and are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, by mechanism hereinafter described, from under said record, the rubber covering 18 by reason of its frictional engagement with the record, draws it slightly to a position where it is substantiallyconcentric with the magazine l8 so that the elevated record will fall centrally thereinto.

The front elevating finger 1 5, in its counterclockwise movement conjointly with the rear elevating finger 14, cooperates with the highest magazine edge portion 34, when the magazine is in a position directly. over-the turntable 9, to guide the record, upon its release from the-elevating fingers 14 and 15 and during its movement by gravity into the magazine, to insure the complete entry of a record so released into the magazine I.

The lowermost ends of the standards 12' pass I 2,082,896 ed arm 84, also hereinafter more fully described,

through the base plate 2 for cooperative engagement with a pair of cam levers 18, hereinafter more fully described, whereby the standards are periodically elevated, as clearly shown in Fig. 15'. One of the standards 12 also passes through a notched or splined opening 11 formed in a lever 18, while the other standard 12 passes through a similar opening 11 in a T-shape lever 19. The

levers 18 and 19 are each pivoted at one of their ends, the former to the underside and the latter to the upper side of the base plate 2, with their complemental openings 11 in alignment with the openings in the base plate 2 through which their respective standards 12 pass. The standards 12 are periodically rotated by the pivoted levers 18 control member hereinafter described.

Turntable drive andassociated mechanism I The motor 5 is, preferably, although not necesand 19 which, in turn, are actuated-by a single sarily, of the constant speed induction type and, Y

when energized, normally rotates at a speed such that the turntable spindle 8 is-rotated through a suitable reduction gear mechanism at a speed of 78 R. P. M. v The aforesaid reduction gear mechanism,'the spindle 8, and the motor 5 are, preferably, all combined in a single unit.

A gear 83, mounted on a bearing hub 84, carries a cam' plate which is eccentrically pivoted on the hub 84 and pinned to the gear 83 for positive rotation therewith, the whole Being revolubly mounted on the sleeve 8. The hub 84 is positioned lowermost on the sleeve 8, so that the gear 83, carrying the cam plate 85, will bespaced from the upper shrface of the assembly plate 2.

Ashouldered sleeve 88 having a pinion gear 81 formed on the lower end portion thereof is rotatably mounted on the spindle portion which proiects through the upperend of the sleeve 8, a

clutch plat 88 being suitably staked to a shoulder formed intermediate the ends of the sleeve 86.

A crescent-shape pawl 89, having aninwardly projecting tooth 98 formed thereon, is pivotally mountedon the upper faceof the clutch plate 88, by means of a pivot pin 9|, and is urged toward the axial center of the clutch plate 88 by means of a spring 92. The spring 92 is anchored, at one end, to a pin- 93 on the clutch plate 88, and at r the other end to a pin 94 carried by the pawl 89.

Cooperating with the crescent pawl 89 is a cesses or notches 98 formed in the periphery thereof, the sleeve 95 being secured to a turntable supporting collar 91 mounted on the spindle 8 by means of a set screw 91a, as clearly shown in Fig. -15. The turntable supporting collar 91- is, so p0- sitioned on the spindle 8 that the notched peripheral portion of the ratchet sleeve 95 extends slightly below the top surface of the pawl 89 for cooperative engagement therewith when the pawl 50 ratchet sleeve 95 having a plurality of spaced re- 89 is released for movement toward the ratchet sleeve 95. When the pawl 89 is released for engagement withthe ratchet sleeve 95, in a manner hereinafter described, the pawl tooth 98 will seat in one of the notches 98 formed in the ratchet sleeve 95 and cause rotation of the pinion gear 81. The gear 81 meshes with an intermediate gear 98 to which is coupled a pinion gear 99, rotatable as a unit therewith. The gear 98 and pinion 99 are rotatably mounted on a pi ot pin 188 secured to and depending from the free, over hangingend l8l of an ofiset bracket plate I82 which is spaced from the spindle 8 in accordance with the respective diameters of the gears and pin- I03, as clearly shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Ines much as the pinion 99 meshes with the cam gear 83, rotation of the pinion gear 99, through the gears 81 and 98, will impart rotation to the cam gear 83. a

The pawl and ratchet clutch comprising the clutch plate 88, the crescent shape pawl 89, spring 82 and the ratchet sleeve; 95 may, under certain circumstances, conform irf design to a similar clutch embodying certain modifications as illustrated in Fig. 18 wherein an inwardly projecting tooth N14 has a rounded nose with its sides diverging therefrom in V-shape formation. A ratchet plate I05 cooperates with the tooth I04 and has a number of recesses or notches I08 formed in its periphery, the contour thereof corresponding substantially in angularity to thaifiof the tooth 104 formed on the crescent shape pawl N31. The arrangement is such that when an automatic phonograph mechanism of the .type

herein described is equipped with the above noted ciutch modification, the motor driving the said mechanism will continue to rotate although the .mechanism may, for some reason, have become jammed or overloaded, provided, of course, that e the power supplied to the motor has not been shut ofi.

' In cases of this kind, the ratchet plate I85 con- .tinues to rotate with the spindle 6. Consecrated .z'otating ratchet plate 105 cannot drive the ciutch plate 88, and as a result thereof, the V- shape notches I06 in the ratchet sleeve Hi5 suc-- cessiveiiy pass the V-shape tooth ltd. r

" The turntable, supporting collar as has its 1 face counterbored for loosely receiving an annular friction washer 838 of leather, hard fibre or similarmaterial. A further element in the form of an upstanding pin "19 (Fig. 15) is doweied :n the collar 9'? within the confines of the washer 698 and offset with respect to the spindle 8. A- spring influenced pin i ii] is carried by the turntable Q and extends verticallythrough the turntable proper and a boss or hub depending centrally therefrom. The pin H projects from w the bottom face of the hub into the path of the upstanding pin 109 when the turntable is positioned on the spindle 6 in supporting contact with the friction washer I08 as more fully described in my copending application, Serial No. 487,115, filed .Octeber 8, 1930, and assignedto the Radio Corporation of America.

The turntable drive arrangement so far described is eiiective for rotating the turntable 9 at a standard speed of 78 R. 1?. M. Under certain circumstances, however, it is desirable that the turntable 9 be optionally rotatable ata slower speed as, for example, 33V 'R. P..M., as well as at the standard speed of 78 R. P.-M., without altering the speed of the motor and/or the reduction gear drive mechanism associated therewith.

In order to obtain a turntable speed of either 38%; R. P. M. or 78 R. P. M., at the option of the operatona manually controlled two-speed turntable drive mechanism may be interposed between the ratchet sleeve 95 and the William? as jully disclosed in my copendins application, serial No. 512,244, filed January 30, 1931, and the Radio Corporation of America. g

The upper end of the spindle I normally e:-

sssisnedtotends above the top surface of the turntable 8 and acts as a centering pin for the record tablets R. To facilitate vpassage of the spindle 6 proper into the respective central openings in the records R, and to assist the magazine It and the projection 33 formed thereon in centering a record on' the spindle Ii, the free end portion thereof is suitably tapered and provided with a central bore l l l for the reception of a spring 2 and a pin 3 which has its upper end also suitably tapered or pointed. The pin us is yieldably maintained in the bore Ill against the action of the spring 2 by means of a relatively small pin 4 which is carried by the pin 8 and projects laterally therefrom through an opening 5 formed in the wall of the tapered end portion of the spindle 8, 2

as clearly shown in Fig. 16.

A modification of the yieldable center pin 3 7 described in connection with Fig. 16 is illustrated in Fig. 17 wherein the turntable Sis provided with a flanged bushing H6 which is pressed into thecentral opening formed in the turntable from the bottom side thereof. The upper end of the bushing terminates in a reduced end portion l H which has its free endslightly tapered and which serves as a turntable center pin adapted to enter the central openings in the respective record tablets R. The bushing HE is further provided with a bore i8 which receives the upper end portion of the spindle t whenthe turntable 9 is rotatably mounted thereon, as clearly shownin Fig. 1'7.

The bore l 18 commences at the flanged end of the bushing HS and extends substantially to a point near the beginning of'the reduced end portion H? where the bore Hi8 terminates into a smaller bore H5 and continues through the reduced end 40 portion i ii.

* Similar to theconstruction shown in Fig. 1d, the upper end portion of the spindle 6 shown in his. 1". is provided with a spring 1 20 against which bears the lewer end of a pointed pin I28 when the turntable t is positioned on the spindle t.

The pin i2! is yieldably maintained against the action of the spring I29 by means of a small pin i22 which is doweled in the pin HI and projects laterally therefrom into an opening I23 tormed in the wall of the reduced end portion ill of the bushing IE6.

In phonograph mechanisms of the type wherein records may-be reproduced at difljerent speeds, as in the phonograph herein described, it is preferable to have the turntable always rotate at the same speed as that of the spindle when such a mechanism is'in operation. The reason for this 'is that if the turntable spindle rotates at a speed other thanvthat of the turntable (and hence of the record resting thereon) the friction between the spindle and the edge of the center one in the record causes wear of said 'edge, enlarging the same, and thereafter precluding proper centel'ing of the record about the spindle more:

ingly', when the turntable is rotating atone predetermined speed, as for example, 78 R. P. M, a'

turntable spindle of the type illustrated particularly in Figs. 15 and 16 ispreferably employed. 70, However, when it is desirable that the turntable" be rotated at one or the other. of two predetermined speeds, as for example. 78 R. P. 'M., and

33% R. P. M., a.turntable spindle of the type illusi- 76 act in F18. 1'7 is preferably employed.

Automaticmechanism The mechanism assembled on' topof the assembly plate 2 functions to automatically actuate, in a predetermined sequence, the various instrumentalities hereinbefore specifically described. The mechanism is periodically controlled by a reciprocable member. which, in turn, is actuated by the cam 85 when the motor 5 is in operation.

Carried by the assembly plate 2 are a plurality of spaced double flanged rollers I24 which are suitably pivoted thereto and disposed in two parallel rows which extend in the direction of the length of the assembly plate 2. A slide bar trally therein adjacent its lower end, as viewed in Fig. 11, and in central alignment with the spindle 6, is disposed between the two rows of rollers I24 and rides on the flanged peripheries thereof. The width of the slot I26 is such that the upstanding bushing or sleeve 8 carried by the plate 2 is clear of the marginal edges thereof a for the reception, between the edges of the slot and the sleeve 8, of the hub 84 on the gear 83 revolubly mounted on the-sleeve 8. The slot I26 is of such a length as to permit the bar I25 to reciprocate a predetermined distance longitudinally of the plate 2.

A pair of rollers I'2'I are pivoted on the upper side and in the center of the slide bar I25 adjacent each end of the slot I26 being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the longest dimeter of the semi-circular cam 85 carried by the gear 83. During a cycle of automatic operations, the rollers I2'I are'alternately engaged by the periphery of .the cani 85 as it completes one .revolution, whereby the slide bar I25 is first moved from its normal position of rest, as shown in Eig. 11, to the position shown in Fig. 12 and 40 then returned to the position shown in Fig. 11,

during which time, a cycle of automatic operations .performed by the mechanism has been 45- a point adjacent the lower left hand corner thereofnas viewed in Figs. 11 and 12,.engages the end I29 of the slide bar I25 in the manner illustrated mm. 11. The lever I28 is tensioned by means of a spring I38 which is anchored to the 60 lever I28 by means of an upstanding pin I3I carried thereby and another upstanding pin I32 carried by the assembly plate 2. One of the studs 3 serves as an abutment for the lever I28 when the end I29 of the slide bar I25 has moved 55 to the position illustrated in 18.12. The pur-.

pose of the tensioned lever I28 is to transmit a longitudinal thrust to the slide bar I25 in order to lessen the load on the motor 5 at the start of a cycle of automatic operations. The lever I28 0 also serves to hold the slide bar I25 in check clearly shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The cam plate II, previously described, is'attached to the slide bar I 25, as by screws or the like I35, so that the cam plate I'I will move as a unit with the slide bar. A slot in is cut inwardly from t e g 125, having an elongated slot I28 formed cenof the cam plate I1 so as not to obstruct the slot I33 in the slide bar I25. The cam plate II includes the magazine controlling wing portion I6 and an opposite wing portion I 38, the wing portions I6 and I 38 being both ofiset from the plane of the cam plate I1 so as to occupy a plane above the slide bar I25. The L-shape slot I5 formed in the wing portion I6 of the cam plate II receives the upstanding crank pin I4 carried by the crank arm I3 whereby the magazine is periodically actuated in response to the reciprocatory movement of the slide bar I 25. The opposite wing portion I38 of the cam plate I1 is provided with a roller I39 rotatably mounted on the underside thereof and an thereof, both of which engage and operate a plurality of levers hereinafter described.

A pair of pins I and I 42 aredoweled in the slide bar I25 substantially centrally of its width and to one side of the ends of the slot I33 therein. The pins I M and I42 depend from the underside of the slide bar I25 into aslot I 43 formed in the assembly plate 2. The U-shape opening I in the assembly plate .2, previously described, opens into or communicates with the slot I43 at a point intermediate its ends as clearly shown in Fig. 12.'

The lever I8, previously described in connection with the standards 12, is pivoted at one end to the underside of the base plate 2 in such a position that the notched opening 11 formed therein registers'with the U-shape opening I35 in the base plate 2. This permits passage of one of the standards I2 through the openings 11 and I35 with the pointed free end I44 of the lever I8 extended across the slot I 43 soas to lie between and in the path of the pins I and I 42 carried upstanding pin I secured to the upper side 'by the slide bar I25. The purpose of the pins I and I42 is to rotate the lever 18 about. its pivot alternately, first counter-clockwise 'and then clockwise, upon a reciprocatory movement of the slide bar [25.1 a

Anupstanding pin I45 is fixed to the slide bar I25 adjacent its end I28 for co-action with a hook I48 formed on the end of one arm I 4! of the T-shape lever I9 which is pivoted on the up- 'per side of the assembly plate 2 at I48. An opening formed in and adjacent the pivoted end of the lever 19 for passage therethrough of an upstanding pin I48 fixed to the assembly plate 2 limits the rotary movement of the lever I3 about its pivot I48. The edge of the opening 11 in the remaining end of the lever I8 is also provided with a complemental keyway or notch which registers with an opening in the assembly plate '2 beneath the opening 1! for a purpose hereinafter described.

Near the end of the movement of the slide bar I25 into the position shown in Fig. 1-2, the pin I 45 movesthe hook I48 formed on the end of the arm I41 of the T-shape lever I8 and imparts a limited counter-clockwise movement to the lever I9. Near the end of thereturn movement of the slide bar 65 to the position indicated in Fig. 11, the pin I45 again moves the lever I8 to impart a clockwise movement thereto.

A pair of slotted studs I58 are secured to the assembly plate 2..and depend from the underside .thereof for pivotally supporting the cam levers.

"I8 in a position substantiallyin alignment with the standards I2. In their normal position, as indicated in Fig. 14, the cam levers I8 are disposed in an inclined positiomwith the hooked end III of the right hand cam lever I8 extended above the rear edge of the assembly plate 2 and with the hooked end I52 or the other cam lever 18 extended through an aperture I 58 in the assembiy plate 2 and into the slot I28 formed in the slide bar I25. When the slide bar I25 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 15, it will ride over the hooked ends I5I and I52 to depress them and thus elevate the ends I53 of the cam levers 16 in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 15.

The ends I53 have a portion thereof bent out of the plane occupied by the levers 18 to provide laterally extending ears I54 hich are each provided with an inwardly e tending slot I55, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Each of the standards 12, which support the record elevating fingers 18 and 15, is provided at its lower extremity with a machine screw I58 and a lock-nut I51 for each of said screws. The depending body portion oi each 0! the screws I58, between theflheads thereof and the lock-nuts I51 thereon, occupies the slot I55 in each of the ears I54, with the heads of the screws I55 beneath the ears I58 and the lock-nuts I51 above the said ears I55 whereby the ends I53 0! the cam levers 15 are operatively connected to the elevating standards 12, as clearly shown in Figs. 9,14 and 15.

Since the elevating standards 12 are each provided with a spline or key 12' which cooperates with a complemental keyway or notch formed in the edge of the openings 11, it will be read: ily apparent that the slide bar I25, in its reciprocating movement, actuates the cam levers I8 to elevate and lower the standards 12 and the levers 18 and 15 to subsequently rotate the standards 12 in a counter-clockwise direction after they have been elevated, and-ins. clockwise drection after the said standards have been low ered to their normal. position oi rest.

' A lever I58 (Figs. i1, 12, 13 and 13a) which functions to indirectly locate the pick-up arm 81, when actuated by elements hereinafter de-= scribed, is pivoted intermediate its ends and in spaced relation to the base plate 2 by means of an upstanding pivot pin I58 carried, by the base plate 2 and a bearing hub which isstalsed or otherwise secured to the lever I58 at a point substantiall'y'centrally thereolf. The lever I58 is constantlyurged in a countar-clockwise direction about its pivot pin I58 by means of a spring I85. The spring I59 is connected, at one end, to an upstanding ear IeI formed on oneedge of the lever I58, and at the other end to an upstanding pin I82 forming a part of an adjustable stop member I53 carried by the base plate 2. Thus, the end portion I88 of the lever I58 is normally maintained in abut ment with the stop member I58 as clearly shown in Fi 11. V

The opposite end portion of the lever I58 is provided with an opening I85 inwhich is movable av pin I55 upstanding-from alatch lever I51 pivotally,;carried by the lever I58 at I58. A spring.

I88 is attached, at one end, to an upstanding ear I18 formed on the lever I58-and at its-other end to the latch lever I51 whereby the latch lever I51 is urged in aclockwise direction relative to the lever I58. Movement of the latch lever I51 relative to the lever I58 is limited by the pin I85 and'the opening I55. 7

Thglever I58 is also provided with a bent-up end Hi to which one end of a spring blade I12 is securely attached. The opposite free end of the spring blade I12 extends toward the latch lever I51 and i adapted to coact with the. hooked end portion I18 0! the latch lever I51, as clearly shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13.

The opposite end of the latch lever I81 is formed to provide a cam edge I14 adapted to engage an upstanding pin I15 carried by the base plate 2 whereby the latch lever I81 is moved to an unlatched position with respect to the free end of the spring blade I12 to free the depending pin 58 carried by the trip lever 41 from engagement with the hooked end I13 of the latch lever I51, and also to free the free end of the spring blade I12. This takes place when the lever I58 is moved to a position shown in Fig. 12, either automatically or by a cam lever which is manually positioned by the upstanding post 82 carried thereby.

A plurality of levers, generally indicated at I18 and I11, are pivoted on the assembly plate 2 in cooperative relation with the clutch plate I plate 2 on an upstanding pivot pin I82.

A small roller I88 is pivoted-on the free end of the arm I18 for momentary rolling contact with .the periphery of the clutch plate 88, first upon initiation of a cycle of automatic operations and again immediately before the completion of said cycle of operations at which time the roller I83 'reinsin contact with the periphery of the clutch plate 88 and finally seats in a step I88 formed in the peripheral edge of the said clutch plate 88, simultaneously with the disengagement of the crescent pawl 88 from the driving ratchet sleeve 85; Since the clutch plate 88 ceases 'to rotate upon disengagement of the pawl 88 from the ratchet sleeve 85, the roller I83 coacts with the step I8 1 to prevent counter-clockwise movement oi the clutch plate and to hold the tooth 80 on the crescent pawl 88 clear of the driving ratchet sleeve 55.

The arm I18 of the lever, I15 is adapted to extend under the wing portion I38 of the cam plate I1. with the roller I 88, on the underside of the portion I88, normally occupying a depression or recess I85 formed in one edge of the arm I18 at a point adjacent to'the pivot pin I82 (Figs. 13 and 18a). I

The opposite edge of the integral depending arm arm I19 includes an I85 \which extends through a clearance opening I850; formed in the base plate 2. Adjustably attached to the lowermost end portion oi the dependirlg'arm I85 is an eye'screw I81 to which is attached one end of the flexible cable 51 by means of a suitable coil [spring 51a, as clearly shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. The purpose of the coil spring 51ais to permit the cable 81.to yield or stretch in response to a sudden pull thereon.

- A spring I88 is attached, at one e'nd, to a pin carried by the outer free end of the arm I19 and its other end to an upstanding pin I88 carried by the base plate 2." The spring I88 tends maintained in contact with the roller I38 so that the lever I18 may be controlled in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the cam plate I1.

The remaining arm I89 of the lever I16 extends toward and is adapted to coact with the upstanding pin I66 carried by the latch lever I61 to move the said latch lever in a counter-clockwise direction, relative to the lever I58, to an unlatched position near the end of a complete cycle of automatic operations to'iree the pin 69 whereby the spring blade I12 is free to urge the trip lever 41 in a clockwise direction.

The lever I11 comprises four arms I99, I9I, I92 and I 98 which extend radially from a common center or the point of juncture of said arms. A hearing hub or boss I94 is staked or otherwise suitably secured to the lever I11 at the said point of juncture of said arms whereby the lever I11 is pivoted on an upstanding pivot pin I95 01f the base plate 2 in spaced relation thereto and the previously described lever I16.

The lever I11 is constantly urged in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I95 and is normally held in abutment with a stop pin I96 by means of a spring I91. The spring I91 is connected, at one end, to an upstanding pin I99 carried by the lever I11 and at the other end; to the stop pin I96 carried by the base plate 2.

In its normal position of rest, the lever I11, by means of. the arm I99, engages one end of the crescent-shape pawl 89 to maintain the pawl tooth 99 out of engagement with the ratchet sleeve 95 whereby the entire mechanism assembled on the base plate 2 is disconnected from the driving spindle 6 as clearly shown in Fig. 11. When, however, a cycle of automatic operations is initiated at the end of a record selection by a reverse movement of the pick-up arm 91, as

' through the instrumentality of an eccentric terminal groove E carried by the record R, the lever I11 is rocked in a clockwise direction by the.coaction of the pawl 59 with the serrated edge 51 of the ratchet plate 58 on the free end portion of the arm I9I to'release the crescent pawl 99 for engagement with the ratchet sleeve 95 whereby the herein described mechanism is coupled to the motor driven spindle 8.

As a result thereof, the slide bar I25 is moved by the cam 95 from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 12. In this movement of the slide bar I25, the pin I49, upstanding from the wing portion I89 of the cam plate I1, en-

gages the edge I99 of the arm I92 of the leverv I11 and acts as a cam to impart a clockwise movement of predetermined extent to the lever I11 and then holds the same inthe position to which it will then have been moved until the slide bar I 25 returns to normalposition. During the clockwise movement of the lever I11, as above described, the arm I99 thereof engages the depending pin 99 carried by the strip lever 41 to move the pick-up arm 91k to non-playing position and the depending pin 99 into latched relation with the latch lever I91. The arm I98is pivoted to the lever I11, as at 299, and is nemably maintained, by means of a spring 29I, in a predetermined position on the lever I11 against a stop pin 292 upstanding from said lever, the spring 29I being secured at one end, to the stop pin 292, and its other end to a pin 299 carried by the opposite free end 294. of the arm I99. The purpose of pivotally mounting the arm I93 in the manner described isto protect the pick-up arm 91 against undue strain should an attempt be made to move the said arm while it is under the control of the automatic mechanism.

Manual control The manually controlled means previously referred to for changing the machine from automatic to manually operable condition and vice versa comprises the upstanding post 82 which is secured to a cam lever 295 now to be described, and projects through the arcuate slot 8I formed in the top plate I, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.

The cam lever 295 is pivotally mounted on the base plate 2 by means of a bearing hub or sleeve 296 which is staked or otherwise secured to the lever 295 adjacent the end 291 thereof and mounted on an upstanding pivot pin 298 carried by the base plate 2 in close proximity to the end portion I64 of the lever I58.

The end 291 of the cam lever 295 is provided with a depending pin 299 which is adapted to engage one edge of the end portion I64 of lever I58 to move the lever I58'in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin I59. The lever. I58 is maintained in the position to which it is moved by the entry of the pin 299 into-a notch or recess 2I9 formed in the said edge of the end portion I64 when the cam lever 295 is moved in a counterclockwise direction by the manual manipulation of the upstanding post 82 in the slot 8I in the direction of the arrow as indicated in Fig. 5. The slot 8I prevents further movement of the lever 82 than is necessary to cause the pin 299 to enter the notch or recess 2 I9 The other end portion 2II of the cam lever 295 is provided with a short upstanding pin 2I2 which is adapted to be positioned against the rear edge 2I3 of the arm 295 is moved to the manual record playing position as clearly shown in Fig. 13a. I

When the cam lever 295 is in the manual record playing conditionas shown in Fig. 13a, the curved edge 2 formed on the end portion 2II 'of the cam lever 295 is positioned under the free end portion of the arm I9I with the curved edge 2I4 thereof extending slightly beyond the toothed edge 51 01'. the ratchet plate 59 to prevent the pawl 59 from engaging the toothed edge 51 of the said ratchet plate 58 by engaging the curved edge 2 instead. It will be noted, from an inspection of Figs. 1, 2 and 5, that the slot 8| is motor-board I that it is eccentric to the spindle 6, or the center of the turntable. While it is possible to design the machine herein described to play either 10-inch or 12-inch records automatically, I have illustrated a machine which plays only 10-inch records automatically. However, when the post 92 is moved from its position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and'5 to the other end of the slot 8i,

the distance therefrom to the spindle 6 is in- Mechanism for controlling the pick-up arm The elements herein described for raising the.

I9I when the cam lever.

so arranged in the pick-up from a record tabletafter' the latter his been reproduced, swinging the-pick-up arm clear of. the record, returning the said arm inwardly to a position to engage the beginning of the sound groove of the next record to. be reproduced, and

thereafter lowering the stylus carried by the pick-up into engagement with the blank edge portion of the record tablet and substantially si- 5 multaneously urging the pick-up arm inwardly to bring the stylus carried by the pick-up into engagement with the beginning of the sound record groove will now be described.

The arm 64, hereinbefore described, is pivote to the. underside of the base plate 2 in spaced relation thereto by means of a bearing hub or sleeve 2I6, which is staked or otherwise secured to one end of the arm 64, and a shouldered pivot stud 2I1 which is riveted to the base plate 2. R- tatably mounted on the lowermost shouldered end of the pivot stud 2II by means of a shouldered pivot screw 2I8, whichis threaded into the end of the stud 2I1, is the pulley 66, also her in-. before described. By this construction, the p ey- 66 is able to follow the movements of the pick-up arm 31 to which movement is imparted by the cable 61 which passes around the pulleys 66 and S9.and connects the eye screw I81 with the pickup arm 31, as at 2I5.

Assume, now, that the turntable 9 is rotating and that the reproduction of a record tablet carried by the turntable has been concluded. .The stylus S carried bythe pick-up device .36 enters the eccentric terminal groove -E immediately thereafter and imparts a series of forward and reverse movements to the pick-up arm 31. Since the trip lever 41 moves with the pick- 11p arm 31 and the supporting post 43, the pawl 59, carried by the trip lever 41, coacts with the ratchet plate 35 58 carried by the arm I9I of the lever I11 during a. reverse movement of the pick-up arm 31 to rock the lever I11 in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin I95 to release the arm I9Ilof the lever I11 from engagement with the crescentshaped pawl 89.

Upon such disengagement oi the arm I 90 from the crescent pawl 89, the tooth 90 formed on the crescent pawl 89 enters oneof the notches 96 I formed in the driving ratchet sleeve 95 to connect the cam 85 with the spindle 6. Rotation of the cam 85 will now move the slide bar I25 to the position shown in Fig. 12. During this movement the three armed lever I16-in a counter-clockwise direction to pull the cable 61 to the left as seen in Fig. 12 whereby the pick-up arm 31 is elevated from the record.

Substantially. simultaneously with the moves,

ment of the three armed lever I16'in a counterclockwise direction by the cam plate I1, the upstanding pin I49 carried by the cam plate I1 engages the arm I92 of the four armed lever I11 .to rotate the said lever in a clockwise direction whereby e arm I93 of the four armed lever I11 engages't e depending pin 69 carried on onend."

tion where its hooked end I13 cooperates with the pin BIIto temporarily lock the pick-up arm 31 in its position to on'e side of the turntable 9,

so that a record changing operation may be'performed. Upon the return movement of the slide bar I25 from the position shown in Fig. l2 to that shown in Fig. 11,.the upstanding pin I40 on the cam plate I1 permits the lever I11 to be wing portion I6 of the cam plate I1.

.the movement of the slide bar I25 from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 12, 5

. 9 moved by the spring I91 in a counter-clockwise direction, thus permitting the leverl58 to indirectly move the pick-up arm inwardly to a position over the blank edge of the next record deposited on the turntable 9.

operative relation with the blankedge of the 15 next record on the turntable to be reproduced. When the lever I16 has returned to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 11, under the action of the spring I88, the arm I89 thereof again engages the upstanding pin I66 and moves. the 20 latch lever I61 in a clockwise direction against the action of the' spring I69 to release the hooked end I13 from engagement with the depending pin 60 carried brthe trip-lever .41. As soon as this occurs, the spring blade I12, carried by the 25 lever I58, is free to urge the trip lever slightly in a clockwise direction whereby the pick-up arm 31 is given a slight inward movement toward the turntable spindle 6 to urge the stylus S into the beginning of the record sound groove.

Mechanism for controlling the magazine The elements herein. described which cooperate to move,tlre magazine I0 to, a position directly over the turntable 9, in spaced relation 35 thereto, and .back to its normal position of rest, will now be described. v

The crank arm l3'wh'ich is secured to the lowermost end of the'magazine pivot post I2 isso positioned on the pivot post I2 that the up- 40 standing crank pin I4 carried by the crank arm I3 extends into the L-shape slot I5 formed in the During the L-shape slot I5 functions to move the crank arm I3 in a counter-clockwise direction whereby of the slide bar I25, the cam plate I! has moved the magazine I0 s m ved to a p sition dir t y over the tumtable9. While the magazine is being .so moved, the record transfer lever 24, 50 which is pivotally mounted on the top plate I to one side of the turntable 9, engages the underside of the lowermost record in the magazine and is held in a depressed position'until just before the magazine has completed its movement to 8. position directly over the turntable; Y Shortly before the magazine 9 has reached the limit of its movement to a position over the tumtable, the edge of the lowermost recordin the magazine has passed over the laterally extending 60 free end of the record transfer lver24 whereby the said record transfer lever is free to swing up-' 'wardly' about its pivot in response to the spring 28 to engage the heel plate 22. As the slide bar I25 returns from-the position shown in Fig. 12 6 to that shownin Fig.,-11, the cam plate I1,-by reason 'of the L-shape slot I5 fornied therein, cooperates with the crank pin I4 to rotate the crank arm I3 in a clockwise direction to return the magazine to its normal position to one side 7 of the turntablaas clearly shown in Fig. 1.

At the beginning of this return movement 61! 1 themagazine to its-normal position, the periphery of the lowermost-record in the magazine engages the buttons 29 of the record transfer lever. 15

24 whereby the said lowermost record is held in its position directly over the turntable 9, and since the magazine is now moving to its normal position, the lowermost record is ejected laterally out 01' the magazine through the cutaway portion 2| by the cooperation of the magazine with the record transfer lever 24. As the lowermost record is ejected from the magazine, the laterally projecting finger 33 formed on the outer periphery of the magazine rim I9 engages the peripheral edge of the said lowermost record while the magazine III moves toward normal position, whereby the lowermost record is maintained substantially centrally over the turntable 9. The yieldable pin. II3 disposed in the uppermost end of the spindle 6 cooperates with the finger 33 and thus also assists in the proper gsegltering of the ejected record over the tum- Mechanism for controlling the record elevating fingers Immediately after the pick-up arm 31 is returned to an inoperative position to one side of the turntable after a period of sound reproduction and the initiation of a cycle of automatic operations begun, the slide bar I25, in its movement'from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 12, passes over the hooked ends iii and I52 of the cam levers 16 whereby the said cam levers are rotated from the position shown in Fig. 14 to the position shown in Fig. 15. The slotted ends of the cam levers 16, thereupon cooperate with the lowermost ends of the vertically reciprocable standards 12 to elevate the said standards and the record engaging fingers 14 and 15 carried thereby, so that a record positioned on the turntable is raised to a height suflicient to permit the passage of the magazine III between the turntable and the elevated record.

Shortly before the slide bar I25 has moved from the position shown in Fig. 11 to the extreme outward position shown in Fig. 12, the pin I42, which depends from the slide bar I25 and operates in the slot I 43, strikes the free end'of the lever 18 whereby the rear standard 12 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction until it is free of the elevated record. Simultaneously with this movement of the lever 18, the upstanding pin I45 carried by the end I29 of the slide bar I25 engages the hooked end I46 of the arm I41 of the lever 19 and rocks'the said lever in a clock- Complete cycle of automatic operations Assume that the magazine Ill is loaded with a plurality of records to be played, and that the toggleswitch has been moved to "on position to energize the motor 5 and thereby cause the turntable a to rotate. The pick-up arm'31 is grasped manually and moved from its outermost inoperative position, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 12, toward the turntable spindle 6 and then given a slight reverse movement to cause the trip lever 41 to release the arm I from engagement with the crescent pawl 89 to couple the motor to. the mechanism assembled on the base plate 2."

"rest, as shown in Fig. 11.

Immediately after the pick-up arm 31 has been given a slight reverse movement manually as above described, the pick-up arm 31 will be elevated by the cable 61 and returned ,to its outermost inoperative position, the record elevating fingers 14 and 15 will be moved upwardly to their full elevated position as shown in Fig. 15, rotated simultaneously in a counter-clockwise direction, and the magazine moved from its normal position, to a position directly over the turntable. Upon return movement of the magazine, which takes place almost immediately after it has reached its position over the turntable, the lowermost record in the magazine will be deposited on the turntable by the cooperation of the record transfer lever 24 and the pin 3 with the magazine III as it returns to its normal position, the record elevating fingers being first lowered and finally rotated in a clockwise direction to their normal position of rest, so that the ejected record can fall onto the turntable under the influence of gravity. The pick-up arm then swings inwardly to a position where the stylus S is directly over the blank edge of the record, and is subsequently lowered to cause the stylus S to engage the blank edge of the record now on the turntable. The pick-up arm 31 finally is urged gently inwardly by the coaction of the spring blade I12 with the trip lever 41 to cause the stylus S to engage the beginning of the record sound groove whereupon a period of sound reproduction follows. At the completion of playing of the record, the pick-up arm 31 is given a reverse movement by the eccentrio groove E, whereupon the automatic mecha- .nism is set into operation again and the cycle the toggle switch 80 to off position. The auxshown separated in Fig. 11 by the action of the wing portion IE of the cam plate I1 through the insulated finger actuating pawl 222 of the switch 2I9. In this position, the slide bar I25 and the cam plate I1 carried thereby are in their normal position of rest.

In Fig. 12, the slide bar I25 and the cam plate I1 are shown at the limit of movement in one direction during a cycle 01' automatic operations and with the switch contact fingers 220 and 22I in contacting relation. Should the toggle switch 80 now be moved to "oif position, the motor circuit would, nevertheless, remain closed until the return of the slide bar to its normal position of When the slide bar I25 has reached this position, the wing portion I6 of the cam plate I! has engaged and urged the pawl 222 in a clockwise direction against the spring action of the resilient contact finger 22I to separate the'contact fingers 220 and 22I oi been I embodiment of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. For example, where the machine is initially designed to play 12-inch records automatically, it is possible also to play smaller size records thereon, also automatically, by making use of a record holder of the type shown, for example, in Fig. of the U. S. patent to Kaufl'man, No. 1,683,469. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by/the prior art and by the spirit of the appended-claims.

I claim: Y

Y 1. In an automatic mechanism of the character described, a turntable spindle, a clutch mechanism including a pair of cooperable elements one of which is normally stationary and the other of which is mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, yieldable means constantly, tending to force said cooperable elements into engagement with each other whereby to cause rotation of said normally stationary element, a turntable for said spindle, a sound reproducing instrumentality, a reciprocable member, a cam follower on said member, a cam loosely mounted on said spindle and engaging said cam follower, said cam being coupled to said normally stationary element for rotation therewith and being so shaped as to .reciprocate said member in response to rotation of said normally stationary member, a control lever, means carried by said member whereby said lever is moved periodically in response to reciprocal movement of said member, means carried by said lever adapted, when in sub stantially normal position, to engage said normally stationary element whereby said element is maintained out of engagement with the other of said clutch elements against the action of said yieldable means, and flexible means connecting said instrumentality and said lever, whereby said instrumentality is raised and lowered with respect to said turntable in accordance with the movement of said lever.

'2. In an automatic mechanism or the character described, a turntable spindle, a clutchmechanism including a pair of cooperable elements one of which is normally stationary and the other of which is mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, yieldable means constantly tending to force said cooperable elements into engagement with each other whereby to cause rotation of said normally stationary element, a turntable for said spindle, a -pivotally mounted sound reproducing instrumentality, a reciprocable mem-' her, a cam follower on said member, a cam loosely mounted on said spindle and engaging said cam follower, said cam being coupled to said normally stationary element for rotation therewith and being .so'shaped as to reciprocate said member in response to'rotation of said nor;-

mally stationary member, a control lever, means carried by said member whereby said lever is moved periodically in response to reciprocal moveaocasac movement of said instrumentality.

3. In an automatic phonograph including a turntable spindie.- a sound reproducing instrumentality-adapted for vertical and horizontal movement, means for positively controlling ver- 4. In a machine of the character described, a

turntable, a magazine movable to and from a position over the turntable, elevator means for lifting a record from the turntable, means op-' erable to withdraw the elevator means from the record so as'to' deposit the same in the magazine when the latteris directly over the turntable, and means integral with said magazine for guidin a record thereinto. I

5. In a machine or the character described, a turntable, a record magazine movable to and from position for discharging a record therefrom onto said turntable and comprising an annular rim, spaced record supporting ledges extending inwardly of and spaced from the bottom face of said rim, and yieldably mounted means fixed in the path of and controlled by said rim for causing a record to emerge laterally from said magazine from the lowermost record substantially the thickness thereof for engaging said lever after the magazine has moved with said lowermost record beyond said lever and into a position in co-axial alignment with said turntable to maintain said lever in position to engage the peripheral edge of said lowermost record whereby to prevent movement of said lowermost record from a position in co-axial alignmentwith said turntable when said magazine returns to its normal position, and guide means integral with the periphery'of said magazine adapted to'cooperate with said lever and magazine to maintain said lowermost record located over said turntable.

. 7. The combination with a turntable having a spindle of means for carrying a plurality of records in super-imposed relation, means for moving said record 'carryingmeans from a normal position to a position over-the turntable in a plane parallel with the face of the'turntable ,to locate a record-on spindle, and means integral with said first named means for-maintaining the record'so located until said'flrst named means has moved through a major portion of its return movement to normal position.

.8. The combination with a turntable having a spindle of a magazine for carrying a plurality of records in super-imposed relation, -means for I contact with the periphery of said record to assist in maintaining the record so located until said magazine has moved through a major portion of its return movement to' normal position.

9. In an automatic phonograph, a turntable including a center pin having a yieldable tip, a

' record supportingmagazine pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a position over said turntable for discharging a record thereon, said yieldable tip being adapted to coact with the lowermost record in said magazine during a part of its movement to and from said turntable for maintaining said lowermost record substantially centrally of said. turntable, and means integral with said magazine for assisting said tip in centering the lowermost record on said center pin and turntable during the return movement of said magazine to normal position.

.10. The combination with a turntable having a spindle of a magazine for carrying a plurality of records in super-imposed relation, means for moving said magazine from a normal position to a position over the turntable in a plane parallel V with the face of the turntable to locate a record dislodging a record from said magazine onto said turntable comprising a yieldably mounted lever, means carried by said lever for engaging the peripheral edge of a record, and means carried by said magazine for maintaining said lever depressed after the surrounding side wall of said magazine has passed beyond the record engaging end of said lever and. said magazine has reached a position substantially in co-axial alignment with said turntable to permit said lever to engage the edge of a record whereby to dislodge said rec- 0rd from said magazine upon the return movement of said magazine to normal position.

12. In a machine of the character described, a turntable, a magazine having an open bottom, means for supporting a stack of records in the magazine so as to be dislodgable through said open bottom, said magazine being movable to and from position to discharge a record onto the turntable, a yieldably mounted record dislodging'lever gaging said lever and locating said lever in the path of said lowermost record after said outer peripheral edge has passed beyond the record engaging end of said lever and said magazine has reached a position directly over said turntable to permit said lever to engage the peripheral edge of said lowermost record for dislodging a record out of said magazine onto the turntable during a part of the other of said movements.

13. In combination with a turntable having a center pin and adapted to receive a record there on, a magazine carrying a plurality of records in superposed relation, means for pivotally mounting saidmagazine adjacent to and in a plane above that of said turntable, means for swinging said magazine over said turntable, a record indexing means yieldably mounted in the path of movement of said magazine and adapted to be actuated by the lowermost record in said magazine, and means extending laterally from the outer periphery of said magazine for maintaining said indexing means in actuated'condition after the outer peripheral edge .of said magazine has passed beyond said indexing means and said magazine has been positioned directly over said turntable for dislodging the lowermost one of the magazine carried records from the magazine onto said pin as said magazine moves away from said turntable.

14. In a machine of the character described, a turntable, a record magazine movable to and from position for discharging a record therefrom onto said turntable and comprising an annular rim, spaced record supporting ledges extending inwardly of and spaced from the bottom face of said rim, a yieldably mounted lever disposed in the pathof movement of said magazine, means carried by said lever for engaging the peripheral .edge of a record, and means projecting beyond the outer periphery of said annular rim adapted to depress said lever a distance below the supporting surface of said ledges equal to the thickness of the lowermost record in saidmagazine whereby said first named means will engage and dislodge a record from said magazine during a part of one of said movements.

15. In combination, a turntable, a record magazine movable to and from position for discharging a record therefrom onto said turntable and comprising an annular rim, spaced record supporting ledges extending inwardly of and spaced from the bottom face of said rim, a yieldably mounted lever disposed in the path of movement of said magazine, means carried by said lever for engaging the peripheral edge of a record, means projecting beyond the outer periphery of said rim adapted to depresssaid lever a distance below the supporting surface of said ledges equal. to the thickness of the lowermost record in said magazine whereby said first named means will engage and dislodge a record from said magazine during a part of one of said movements, and roller means disposed adjacent to said lever and substantially in the path of movement of said magazine adapted to be engaged by said magazine diu'ing said movements whereby said magazine is accurately maintained in spaced relation to said lever.

BENJAMIN R. CARSON. 

